Jun 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) and center William Karlsson (71) celebrates a goal by defenseman Shea Theodore (not pictured) against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second overtime in game three of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
Jun 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) and center William Karlsson (71) celebrates a goal by defenseman Shea Theodore (not pictured) against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second overtime in game three of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images
With the FIFA World Cup underway, soccer stars like Erling Haaland are in town. However, few expected Haaland and the Norwegian National Team to have the time to attend a Stanley Cup Game.
Yet, the Manchester City striker did exactly that for Game 5 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final on Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The NHL went on to share the images of Haaland and his Norwegian teammates watching the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Stanley Cup contenders entered the pivotal game with the series tied at 2-2. Meanwhile, the Norwegian striker was seen on the Jumbotron waving his complimentary towel and pumping his fist.
The soccer team arrived from a camp in Greensboro, North Carolina, which is roughly half an hour from Raleigh. The 2026 World Cup will be Norway's first time competing since 1998.
However, their first match against Iraq is slated for June 17, so the squad had time to spare to experience some Stanley Cup Finals action firsthand.
Erling Haaland is Norway's star player who finished as Europe's leading scorer during the qualification.
Hurricanes gain the momentum after Stanley Cup Game 5
While both teams entered Game 5 with the series tied, this game was different than the first four games in many ways. The first major difference was how Carolina finally held their own in the second period.
Leading up to Game 5, Vegas had outscored the Canes 9-1 during the second period. This time, the Hurricanes didn't implode and actually outscored the Golden Knights 2-0 in the second period.
The offense and defense also clicked for the Canes with some standout perfromances from the likes of Jordan Staal and goalie Brandon Bussi.
Bussi became the first goaltender to make his first two career playoff starts in the Final and win both. "To come in like Bussi did after not playing for two months and be as calm as he is, make the saves he has, has been incredible," said teammate Nikolaj Ehlers.
Meanwhile, on the offense, Staal became the first player in 53 years to record a five-goal streak or more games at any point in a Stanley Cup Final.
The two teams will now head to T-Mobile Arena for Game 6. The question is: Can the Hurricanes capitalize on this momentum?
Read more at NHL Fan Central!
Written by
Aadhya Nalla
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi